Legendary director Steven Spielberg has revealed that he was twice rebuffed by the producers of the James Bond film series in his attempts to helm an instalment. Speaking on 'The Rest Is Entertainment' podcast, Spielberg recounted his ambition to direct a Bond movie following the monumental success of his early features, 'Jaws' and 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' in the 1970s.
Spielberg explained that he approached Albert R. 'Cubby' Broccoli, the influential producer behind the early Bond films, on both occasions. Despite the critical and commercial triumphs of 'Jaws' (1975) and 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (1977), which solidified Spielberg's reputation as a visionary filmmaker, his offers to direct a Bond entry were not accepted.
The revelation offers a fascinating glimpse into a 'what if' scenario for one of Britain's most enduring cultural exports. At the time of Spielberg's approaches, the Bond franchise was navigating a transition period, with Roger Moore firmly established as 007. The films released around that era included 'The Spy Who Loved Me' (1977) and 'Moonraker' (1979), both major box office successes.
Reflecting on these past rejections, Spielberg light-heartedly quipped that the current cost of securing his directorial services would now be far beyond the budget of the Bond producers. This comment underscores his unparalleled standing in Hollywood, having directed some of the highest-grossing and most critically acclaimed films of all time, including 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial', 'Jurassic Park', and 'Schindler's List', earning him multiple Academy Awards and a BAFTA Fellowship.
While Spielberg never got to put his stamp on James Bond, his career path led him to create another iconic action-adventure hero, Indiana Jones, in collaboration with George Lucas. The Indiana Jones series, which began with 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' in 1981, has often been seen as a spiritual cousin to the Bond films, sharing a blend of global adventure, espionage, and thrilling set pieces. The original 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' is available to stream in the UK on Disney+.